Athena's Loyalty in The Odyssey
By: Addison Davis - 8th Holmes
Prompt:
In the book The Odyssey by Homer, the quest of Telemachus finding his father Odysseys was only possible because of outside help. Athena the goddess of wisdom aided the quest in order to bring them together. Shown in many instances throughout the novel, how did Athena’s loyalty and assistance throughout the quest help to build the theme in the Odyssey?
Thesis:
Homer, in his book The Odyssey, uses Athena's loyalty during the quest, of Telemachus finding his father, to prove outside help and wisdom can be necessary in order to finish a quest.
Evidence
"wise Odysseus shall return to his own home" (pg 3)
"Odysseus shall set forth upon his homeward way" (pg 3)
"I in the meantime will go to Ithaca, to rouse his son..and to put visor in his breast" (pg 3)
Analysis
Athena speaks to her fellow Gods to advocate for Odysseus. She wants him to "return to his own home" and knows that through her help he will be able to complete his quest (pg 3). In order for him to begin on "his homeward way", he has to be released from his location where he is being held (pg 3). She is speaking to Zeus because she knows that since he is a mighty God that the "fair-haired nymph" will listen and obey to him and all his wishes (pg 3). With her request she promises that she will "go to Ithaca" and work to converse Telemachus "his son" to depart on his own quest in search of Odysseus (pg 3). She will need to provide bravery to Telemachus in order for him to go, because he is afraid of not returning home and disappearing while at sea, similar to what occurred on his fathers journey. Through Athenas communication she was able to get Odysseus released and on his journey home, as well as go to Ithaca to speak encouragement to Telemachus. Without Athena there would be no way Telemachus would have the confidence to leave home, and Odysseus would not have been released. It was only through Athena's pleading with her father Zeus that she was able to offer assistance which was necessary for the quests to continue.
Evidence
"Mentes I call myself. The son of wise Anchialus" (pg 5)
""I was told your father was at home." (pg 5)
"living, he lingers somewhere still on the wide sea" (pg 5)
Analysis
Now Athena appears in Ithaca, in order to make sure she holds up her end of the deal, which is to help converse Telemachus to go on his on quest after his father. She goes in disguise at "Mentes...the son of wise Anchialus" who was one of Odysseus' old friends (pg 5). She explains her reasoning for the journey, of going to Ithaca, was thinking that his "father was at home", however Athena knew all along this was untrue. Athena as Mentes reports to Telemachus that indeed Odysseus is still alive and "lingers somewhere still on the wide sea" (pg 5). This gives home to Telemachus who was unsure of the current state of his father. Since he was now given this information in regards to the wellbeing of Odysseus, he is now more eager to begin his quest in going after his father. He might not know the exact location, but he is now for sure that he is alive, just somewhere lost at sea. Telemachus is unaware that Mentes is Athena, so through her disguise she is able to gain his trust that what she is saying is accurate since Telemachus knew who Mentes was and his past relationship with his father.
Evidence
"Telemachus....prayed to Athene" (pg 18)
"likened to Mentor in her form and voice" (pg 18)
"So shall this voyage not be wain and fruitless." (pg 18)
"nor do you wholly lack the wisdom of Odysseus" (pg 18)
Analysis
The disguise of Mentor was taken form, after Telemachus "prayed to Athene" (pg 18). At this point in the novel Telemachus has discovered that he is not working alone, he knows there has to be a god or a greater being providing him with guidance and knowledge. Once Athena comes she only further influences his decision to set sail on his journey in hopes of finding his father and returning home. Athena makes sure Telemachus is aware that his travels and trials would not be "vain and fruitless", something would come out of all the effort and bravery that will be needed on this quest (pg 18). Telemachus being reassured that he will find some sort of success is a symbol hope, because now he knows that his journey will have purpose and will give him knowledge or some gain. Athena makes sure to give Telemachus the confidence he needs to lead this quest by pointing out his "lack [of] wisdom of Odysseus", not only saying that he is wise, but comparing him to his father, which is his idol and who he wants to be like (pg 18). This comparison that Athena gives, is the extra boost of confidence Telemachus needs before he sets sail. He now knows he is not foolish and knows that his quest comes with purpose and some type of gain. Athena's visit as Mentor gives Telemachus the confidence and hope that is the sole reason he later departs on the quest to finally find Odysseus and return home to Ithaca together.
Optional Conclusion
Throughout the entire book we see how Athena helps in different ways to reunite and bring home both Odysseus and Telemachus. She takes on different forms in order to give different messages. In the examples given she transforms into 2 different people in order for her to encourage Telemachus to depart on his journey. She also speaks directly to Zeus to free Odysseus, and without this communication he would never have been able to leave the island and continue on his journey home. Athena stayed loyal to Odysseus and Telemachus through every aspect of their quest, in all of their times in trouble she was there ready to assist in any way possible. Without her the quest would not have even occurred in the first place. All credit should be given to Athena who started and successfully finished the quest to bring home Odysseus and Telemachus to Ithaca.